Automatic air-supply system for automobiles.



. W. G. BAKELS. AUTOMATIC AIR SUPPLY SYSTEM P611 AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION PI ILED DEC. 31, 1913.

Patented Sept. 22, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Win/8858 W. G/BAKBLS.

AUTOMATIC AIR SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 31, 1913.

INVEN TOR VIZ/ am @Zakela ATTORNEYS WI LIAM QBAKELS, or MIDLAND PARK, NEW JERSEY. :3

AUTOMATIC AIR-SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Specification of Letters Iatent.

Patented Sept. 22, 1914.

Application filed December 31, 1913. Serial No. 809,790.

T (ZZZ whom 2'2 72? 03 Wonk-era. Be it known that I, WILLIAM C. Burns, a subject of the Queen of the Netherlands,

-' and a residentot' Midland Park, in the county of Bergenand State of New Jersey, have invented a new andlmproved Automatie Air-Supply System for Automobiles, of which. the followingis a full, clear, and

. I exact description.

My invention has for its object the provision of an ever ready automatic air sup ply system for automobiles and the like,

adapted to utilize the exhaust from the-motor. for the purpose of storing air under pressure to be utilized for the operation of the brakes, inflation of the tires or for other purposes as desired.

- The invention has for a further ob ect the provision of an air supply system of the above. character, in which a storage tank is I supplied. with air under pressure by connection. with the exhaust pipe of the motor be- Ktween the engine and the inufiier, there be- 1 ing the air to the tank until the air in the .ing provided means for permitting the escape of thevapors and gases and causing the same to be cleansed and purified during their passage to the storage tank, each impulse from the exhaust under great pressure causing the intermittent supply of air inthe tank has reached a predetermined pressure to'cut 0d the supply, the reduction of pres- -sure in the tank operating to move said cutoff means to permit afurther supply or" an to increase the pressure of the air within the tank, while connections are provided for de 'ternnning the pressure of the air within the tank and for conductingthe air tothe air brake apparatus or to the wheels for inflat ing the tires thereof, as illustrated.

\Vith the above and other objects in view. the invention resides in the peculiarconibination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed, it being also an ob ect to provide a device which is simple in construction, du-

rable and efiicient in operation and not likely to get out of working order.

I Reference is to be hadto the accompanyingdrawings forming a part of this specilication, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views, and in which- Figure l is a' plan view of the apparatus used in the operation of my improved air supply system, the same being connected to the exhaustpipe of a motor between the engine and the muffler; :Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a storage tank taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 4:; Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the tank; Fig. 4: is a central longitudinal vertical sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view, showing the automatic valve for cutting off a supply of air When the pressure in the tank has reached a predeter mined point and for permitting the flow thereof when the tank has been relieved or lowered by operation of the brakes or otherwise us ng the air; and Fig. 6 is a horizongal sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of 1g. 2.

in carrying out my improved air supply system, there is designated in Fig. 1,811 exhaust pipe 10, located between the engine (not shown) and the mufiier 11, which me be of any preferred type. Connected wit the exhaust pipe 10, is an air storage tank 12, the same being preferably of cylindrical construction and provided with end walls and M, preferably in the form'of concaro-convex plates, having flanges15 riveted. or otherwise secured to the lateral section of the tank. One end of the tank has a permanent closure 16, while a hinged or other form of removable closure 17 is disposed at the other endof the tank, thus proridingv a central compartment 18 for the storage of air and end compartments l9 and .20 respectively. The connection with the exhaust pipe is made by means of a conduit 21 of rigid or flexible material adapted to resist high pressure, the same having an interposed valve casing 22 across which is provided a bar or spider 23 adapted to permit the escape of the exhausted products from the exhaust pipe therethrough, by the unseating of a check valve 2d, in the present instance indicated in the form of a ball valve mounted between an end portion of a tube section of the conduit 21 and the spider. In this manner the ball is allowed to unseat under the pressure of the gases and vapors or products of combustion, due to the impulse at .each erhaust of the em g n while the bar 0 PldBI. prevents the tank is cut off adjacent to the tank or when the engine stops running.

Mounted in the compartment 19, as by meansof an angular bracket 25 secured to the lateral section of the tank, is a purifying chamber or reservoir 27, the same pref- ,erably consisting of a transparent lateral section, or hollow tubular body having a cap 28 with the bottom rabbeted, in which the transparent lateral-section engages and also provided with an exteriorly threaded neck portion 29 which is removably secured in a threaded aperture in the free end of the bracket 25. The conduit 21, which also includes a flexible coupling or other type of connecting member 30, communicates with the interior of the purifying chamber by an inlet tube 31, which passes through the metal section of the tank communicating wlth the compartment 19 and which is secured to the -perfora ted and metallic plate 38 is fixed, preferably to the nozzle 37 above the sponge purifying chamber through the instrumentality of binding'nuts 32. This chan'1- 'berlis further provided with a base 33 having an internal rabbet in which the transparent lateral section of the chamber is seafled, said\base having a depending extension 34 of rle duced diameter, which is provided atone side with a transparent cover plate 35, providing a peep opening to ascertain the height of the liquid containedin the chamber f r the purpose of purifying the exhaust gasesj to remove all injurious matter therefrom, For this purpose a sponge or other similar porous and absorbent substance 36 is mounted in the purifying chamher around a nozzle 37 which depends centrally therethrough, the nozzle havin'g'a restricted outlet opening at its lower end, positioned within the area of the depending extension or clean-out cup 34, the sponge being saturated or the cl'iamberrontaining wator and alcohol through which the escaping gases are passed or submerged in rising in the chamber. The alcohol is for the purpose of preventing the water from freezing and a or filtering and purifying medium, and while permitting the escape of the air prevents the water or solution from splashing or escaping through an outlet pipe 39, leading from the top of the chamber and coupled thereto in the same manner as the inlet tube 1'- The l wer end of the extension or cup 34 has a'removable closure 40, while communicating withthe cup through the closure is a filling tube or pipe 41, which is extended horizontally and upwardly and has a screw closure 42 on its upper end, which is removed to permit filling of the purifying escape of air, it being understood that the cover or closure 17 is opened for this purose.

The outlet pipe 39 depends below thetop of the purifyingchamber and communicates with the interior of'the tank or storage compartment 18 thereof through an inlet connection 43, while a spring check valve 44 in- 'terposed with relation to such parts for the purpose of preventing the return of air unber and for conserving the pressure in the storage tank in a manner to be hereinafter more fully described. Means are also provided in the form of an automatic valve, for the purpose of normally overcoming the pressure within the tank at a predetermined minimum operating pressure or low point to permit the discharge of air into the tank, until the pressure within the tank is suflicient to automatically'close the valve to prevent the further discharge of air thereinto and to avoid raising pressure beyond a predetermined maximum'degree. For this purreturn of air or back pressure.

form of a cylindrical shell having mm part providedewith top and bottom threaded apertures receiving, the couplings and a flange 49' remoyail j sicured m the end wall screws 51 are engaged, This flange is located at the inner end of theouter part which is made considerably heavier than the inner part or barrel 52, which when the easing is secured imposition, extends through which the fastening screws also extend and into the compartment 18, so asto be subpart of the casing is provided with a longimovably held as by means of'threading the same thereinto and this bushing which is against the end wall of the bore and also bored out from its inner end, as shown at 54 r and is provided wlth a tapered valve seat at chamber, but which is closed to prevent the der pressure through the purifying cham-' an aperture in the partition wall through preferably of bronze or brass, is fitted' pose a valve casing 45 1s connected to the As illustrated, he valve casing is in the 13, the end wail bhiiig provided with a -reinforcement 50, through which attaching ected to the pressure therein. The outer its outer end. Thepipes 43 are placed in communication witlreach other through I alined vertical passages 55' in the casing and bushing at such a pointas to intercept the 58, which is operable through an aperture 59 in the partition wall between the parts of' the'casing inalinement with the flange 49',

' said valvebeing preferably of bronze and havin a cone-sha ed valve endicoo eratin -b with the seat in thebushing to close or open i y will escape through the sponge and solution contained in the purifying chs'amlter and will the communication. between'the inlet and outlet pipes 39 and 43, while the shoulder 60, formed by the reduced portion with. the valve proper, will serve to .limit the move- Y I 'nially 'close(l contrarytothe ,t'alve 57 which merit of the valve to a closed position.

Normally the valveisheld open and the communication established, this being ef fected by means of an expausible coil spring 61 contained Within the casing part 52 and interposed with relation to the partition and plunger56, so as to hold. the latter inwardly displaced when the spring overcomes the pressure Within'the storage compartment of I the tank, total displacement of the plum er and valve being'prevented by means 0 a ring 62, removably engaged or-threaded .in. theinner end of the casing and engaged by the plunger when inwardly displaced. Communicating with the storage compartment of the tank through the opposite end Wall 14, is a pressure gage 63 whichis visible through an opening in the closure 16, the gage being thus contained in the compartment '20 and having communication with the storage compartment through pipe connections 6-1, for removably attaching the gage .to the end wall 14. The connections 64: have a valve 65 coupled thereto through the closure 16 and a, supply pipe 66 in the form of a rubber'tube is removably coupled to the valve, as shown at 67 and provided at its opposite end with a coupling member 68' for communication with the inflating valves of the tires, for supplying air to the latter. The tube may be of any suitable length to reach all of the wheels of the automobile and may be supported at suitable intervals by brackets 69 with an interposed pressure gage 70, designed to advise the attendant of the pres-sure of the air within the tire when the valve 65 has been closed.

- A lead-off 71 extends from the connections 64 and is adapted for the connection of a suitable pipe or conduit, leading to the air brake mechanism, which latter may be of any preferred type.

In the operation of the device, the tank is for example, tested to. stand two hundred pounds air pressure pcrsquare inch and the gage 63 is so marked to record the pressure in the storage compartmentup to such a point. Thus upon the engine being started,'the exhaust gases and air which is'mixed therewith in the process of carburation will j'be discharged through the exhaust pipe 10 and the mutileig butaportion thereof will through the nozzle 37 into the liquid co tained in the cup 34, the valve 24 automatically closin when the pressureinpthe exha ust pipe is relieved. These impure gases pass out" through the pipe'39 Owing to'the fact that the valve 4.4.is noris held open by the spring'fil the absence 'ofai'rlin the storage compartmentunder such .piiessiire as to overcome the tension of the spring, the escape will-then take place against the spring valve 44 and into the storage compartment through the inlet pipe 43. The "spring (il'iis' made of such tension as to sustain one hundredand fifty pounds pressure. andwill therefore retain'the valve in an openori'unseated p'o-sitionuntil the ,air pressure withiin the storage compartment isfsuch asto ove come the same and this is riplished by a pressure of preferably; Yacco one. hundred and seventy-five pounds per square inch witliin thestorage compartment. During thetime that thestor'age compartment-:is beingj filled or stored,lthe valve44 will be automatically closed to prevent the escape ofthe air; butwi'll be opened in the same manner as the valve 24 at each impulse oi the exhaust, providing the same is of sufficient pressure to overcome the pressure in the conduits. and compartment. When the pressure wi hin the sure as to close the-valve. 57, further escape ordischarge of the air produced by the purilication ofthe gases, into the compartment will be prevented and byhaving the valve .24 loose so that it is not air tight, suificient airv will escape to permit the back flow of the air into the exhaust pipe, thus avoiding 'the accumulation of excess pressure in the conduits and storagecompartment 'of the tank. By removing the purifying chamber or opening the lower end of the cup 34, all

sediment and foreign matter may be removed in a convenientway. Also, upon the compartment has reached a miximum pressure, or such a presair in the tank being usedfor applying the brakes or for inflating'the tires in the manncr heretofore described, the valve 57 will automatically open under theaction of the spring 61, as soon as the pressure Within the tank has fallen to such a minimum point that the tension of the spring 61 will overcome it, but the valve 44 will automatically reaches a predetermined, point,

" pass upwardly and v. the like, comprising with the exhaust pipe close to conserve the air pressure within the-- motor having the usual mufller, said storage tank being connected with the exhaust pipe between the motor and the muffler, means for conveying the dischar e gases from the ex haust pipe, to the tank y means establishing communication between the two, and means interposed in the connection'for purifying said gases during their passage to the tank, said means comprising an auxiliary tank containing a solution of water and alcohol;-

a porous substance saturated with said-hr; tion located Iherebenea-th, the foreign matter being retained below stance and the gases escaping in an. 4 2. An automatic air supply system for automobiles, comprising the combination with'a storage tank and the exhaust pipe .of a motor; of a valve connection between the exhaust pipe and the tank for conveyin discharged gases to the tank, one end 0% tank having a compartment, a purifying chamber in said compartment containing a non-freezing washing solution constituting a submerged bath through which the exhaust gases are discharged downwardly to therethrough without displacement of the solution with the gas hereby the latter escapes in the form of air,

and a valved connection between the chamthe form of bier and the tank.

3. An air supplysystem for automobiles and the like, comprising the combination with the exhaust pipe of an engine and a storage tank 'for air under pressure of a connection between the tank and the exhaust pipe through which gases escape under pressure at each exhaust of the engine, a valve interposed in the connection, mally holding the valve open, whereby the air may be supplied to the tank, and means whereby vhen the pressure in the tank the valve will beclosed until thepressure is reduced. An air. supply system "for automobiles the combination 0 *ar'iengineand a air under pressuregof a storage tank for f connection between the tank and the exhaust 'pipethrough Slil'O'ili) each exhaust of the engine, a "alvewhich gases escape under presinterposed in the connection, means normally holding the valve open, whereby the air may be supplied to the tank, means whereby when the pressure in the tank reaches a predetermined point, the valve will the porous sub-' t e the tor and pipe throrgl which gases escape underpi'essure its exhaust of the engine, a valve interposedin the connection, means no!- air may be supplied to the tank, said means embodyin'g'a valve subjected to the action of the air within the tank under pressure,

'jexceeds that within the connection, the valve fliB' -C "closed, and means in the connection ttiri ve'gihe same of excess pressure. 6. An air supply system for automobiles and he like, comprising the combination with' the exhaust pipe of anengine and a stori e tank for air under pressure; of. a conn otion between the tank and the exhaust pipe throu h which gases escape under pressure at one exhaust of the engine, a valve,

in the connection, means normally-holding'the valve-open, whereby the air may be supplied-to the tank, means interp osed in the connection to remove the impurities-from the gases during their escape to" theitank, and means whereby when the pressure in the tank reaches a predetermined point, the valve will be .closed until the pressure is reduced. r

"7 An air supply system of the class} described, comprisin the combination with the exhaust pipe c an internal combustion motor and a tank; of a pipe connection be- "ween the-exhaust pipe and the tank, a puriin phmher interposed in the connection tlierein,:-an ahson ent element mounted in the chamber an submerged in a liquid cleansing sblllt ggthrough which the gases escape inthe f d of air, a perforated plate fixed in chamber above the absorbent element, andineans fdr filling the chamber with solution from the bottom. scribemcmnprising'theiipombination with the 'cxhalistfpipe of an i1'1te \-nal combustion moa tank ofa pipe'connection between the'exhaust-pi'pe and thei tank,a purifying chamber interposed in the connection and receiving the dischargeo'f the gases thelj n, an absorbent element mounted in the innher 'and'submerged in a liquid-cleansing solution through which the gases. escape in the arm of air, a perforated late fixed in the chamber above the absor ent element, means mounted in the pipe connection adjacent to the tank to prevent the return of air therefrom, and means'in the connection adconnection between the tank and the .exhaust' I mally holding the valve open, whereby the whereby when the pressure within the tank andxrefiil lng' the discharge of the gases,

be closed until the pressure is reduced, and

engine and a -'8. .An air'supply system of the class dey jacent to the exhaust pipe to permit the gradual escape of air under pressure to relieve the connection of excessive pressure.

9. An air supply system of the class (lescribecl, comprising the Combination with the exhaust pipe of an internal combustion motor and a tank; or" a pipe connection between the exhaust pipe and the tank, a: purifying chamber interposed and receiving 1 therein, an ah the chamber discharge ent element mounted in and submerged in a hqzud- Q valve being acted i in the tank when in the connection 3 of the gases cleansing solution throu h which the egeses escape in the form of air, a perforated fixed in the chamber above the absorbent element, means mounted in the pipe connecplate tion adjacent to the tank to prevent the rel turn of air therefrom, means in the connec- 1 tion adjacent to the exhaust oipe to permit the graduai escape of air under pressure to relieve the connection of excessive pressure, a springmctuatecl valve interposed in the connection and having a casing communicating with the pressure tank, said valve being normally retained in an open position to permit the escape of air into the tank, said upon by the air pressure the same reaches; maxiuiuin point, so as to close the valve, means to determine the pressure of air in the tank, uncl means for discharging the same thereii-om.

in Witness whereof I have signed my nmne to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

EVILLLLM C. BAKELS. Witnesses JOHN E. BURCH, Gnonen H. EMsLLe. 

